ArtistDirect News
American Singer Oliver Tree Dies in Helicopter Crash in Rio de Janeiro
A helicopter collision over Rio de Janeiro on June 14, 2026 ended the life of American singer‑songwriter Oliver Tree, 32. The crash, which occurred in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood of the city’s southwest zone, claimed six lives, including Tree’s, and sparked an immediate investigation into aviation safety for touring artists.
The incident involved two helicopters operating in the same airspace. According to the Rio de Janeiro Military Fire Department, one aircraft struck a car dealership’s parking lot, igniting a fire that firefighters extinguished. The second helicopter also crashed, but the precise impact location has not yet been identified. The collision resulted in a blaze that consumed several electric vehicles parked in the lot.
Tree was on a world tour that launched in early 2026, following the release of his fourth studio album, Love You Madly Hate You Badly, on April 24, 2026. The tour, his first to promote the record, had taken him to Buenos Aires, Argentina, the week before the crash. His name appeared on passenger lists submitted to aviation authorities, and police have not yet identified the bodies recovered from the wreckage. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the mid‑air collision.
The music community responded swiftly. British YouTuber and rapper KSI, who collaborated with Tree on the 2023 single “Voices,” posted a tribute on social media: “Can’t believe I’m actually having to type this. You’re 32 man. You should still be here. You still had so much life to live. So much music to make. So much content to make. You’re a legend and will always be a legend. Still doesn’t feel real. Genuinely feel sick. I love you bro.” Dutch DJ Oliver Heldens also expressed his sorrow: “I can not believe it… Rest in peace brother, you were one of a kind and you'll be truly missed @olivertree. See you again in another life.”
Tree first entered the public eye in 2010 under the moniker “Tree,” working with artists such as Skrillex and Zeds Dead. He signed with Atlantic Records in 2017 after the viral success of “When I’m Down.” His debut studio album, Ugly Is Beautiful, dropped in July 2020. Subsequent releases included Cowboy Tears (February 2022), Alone in a Crowd (September 2023), and the final album Love You Madly Hate You Badly (April 2026). Internationally, tracks like “Life Goes On” (2021) and “Miss You” (2022), a remix with German DJ Robin Schulz, charted in multiple territories.
The crash coincides with the broader fallout from the 2026 Rio de Janeiro helicopter incident, which also claimed the lives of Argentine YouTuber Gaspi and director Lucas A. Vignale. The event has prompted industry discussions about aviation safety protocols for touring artists and the logistical challenges of global tours.
As investigations continue, the music community and fans worldwide mourn the loss of a performer who had already carved a distinct niche in contemporary pop and electronic music. The official inquiry into the crash is expected to shed light on the circumstances that led to the fatal collision, offering closure for those affected and informing future safety measures for touring artists.
The incident involved two helicopters operating in the same airspace. According to the Rio de Janeiro Military Fire Department, one aircraft struck a car dealership’s parking lot, igniting a fire that firefighters extinguished. The second helicopter also crashed, but the precise impact location has not yet been identified. The collision resulted in a blaze that consumed several electric vehicles parked in the lot.
Tree was on a world tour that launched in early 2026, following the release of his fourth studio album, Love You Madly Hate You Badly, on April 24, 2026. The tour, his first to promote the record, had taken him to Buenos Aires, Argentina, the week before the crash. His name appeared on passenger lists submitted to aviation authorities, and police have not yet identified the bodies recovered from the wreckage. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the mid‑air collision.
The music community responded swiftly. British YouTuber and rapper KSI, who collaborated with Tree on the 2023 single “Voices,” posted a tribute on social media: “Can’t believe I’m actually having to type this. You’re 32 man. You should still be here. You still had so much life to live. So much music to make. So much content to make. You’re a legend and will always be a legend. Still doesn’t feel real. Genuinely feel sick. I love you bro.” Dutch DJ Oliver Heldens also expressed his sorrow: “I can not believe it… Rest in peace brother, you were one of a kind and you'll be truly missed @olivertree. See you again in another life.”
Tree first entered the public eye in 2010 under the moniker “Tree,” working with artists such as Skrillex and Zeds Dead. He signed with Atlantic Records in 2017 after the viral success of “When I’m Down.” His debut studio album, Ugly Is Beautiful, dropped in July 2020. Subsequent releases included Cowboy Tears (February 2022), Alone in a Crowd (September 2023), and the final album Love You Madly Hate You Badly (April 2026). Internationally, tracks like “Life Goes On” (2021) and “Miss You” (2022), a remix with German DJ Robin Schulz, charted in multiple territories.
The crash coincides with the broader fallout from the 2026 Rio de Janeiro helicopter incident, which also claimed the lives of Argentine YouTuber Gaspi and director Lucas A. Vignale. The event has prompted industry discussions about aviation safety protocols for touring artists and the logistical challenges of global tours.
As investigations continue, the music community and fans worldwide mourn the loss of a performer who had already carved a distinct niche in contemporary pop and electronic music. The official inquiry into the crash is expected to shed light on the circumstances that led to the fatal collision, offering closure for those affected and informing future safety measures for touring artists.